Newbie going out west questions

[srt20]

Im going to the mountains for the first time in March. I need a backpack, shovel, and probe. I will be borrowing a beacon, so thats already taken care of. Anyway, where do you shop for this gear? Ive heard you can get like a "combo kit" with the backpack, shovel, and probe? Where are you finding the best deals? What brands are good? Ive been advised to stick with a aluminum shovel vs a plastic. Also I will need a saw, maybe built into the shovel handle? Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks

 

[polarisrider1]

Pm sent

 

[ezra]

risk is high this yr better get that beacon and a your buds over with thers and play find the beacon for a few hrs.my war dept wont let me go unless a bud can find the one she hid fast in her opinion. guess she has no clue I am worth way more dead than alive.
and I hope you have been doing some working out some hard core Cardio will pay off more than you can know.it is all good till the digging starts

 

[srt20]

Thanks PR1

Ezra, the guy I am going with has 3 beacons, so they all work good together. I am on the treadmill working on the cardio, but I still expect to get whooped. lol

 

[jmom800x]

I carry the usual, extra gloves(you will have at least one pair that will be wet before day's end, and is nice to have a dry pair when the sun starts to disappear), goggles, food, first aid, fire starter(dryer lint works good, tampons to dip in the fuel tank, sterno, steel wool), gps/spot/walkie talkie, saw, rope, tools, MRAs, emergency bivy, space blanket, pretty much any survival gear you think you would need to spend a night out.

Do not go with the saw in the handle, they break way too easy.

Also, get a snobunje. I can get you 15 percent off any snowmobile gear and accessories offered at snobunje.com

 

[thebreeze]

If you want a good saw, google up "Sven Saw". For the other gear, you can try out snowbigdeal.com for the combo packages.

Shovel handle saws are junk. So are probes that are inside the shovel handle.

 

[ttallin]

i would say go to farm and fleet up in watertown they have a shovel for 15 bucks same as the ones for 50-80 which is a rip off. go to gander mountain in janseville they have hiking backpacks my bro got one for 20 bucks on sale. save your self some cash

 

[fgsacts]

PM sent also

 

[fgsacts]

Backpack or On Person

Polar fleece
Emergency sleeping bag
Emergency blanket
Leatherman tool
Saw
GPS
Compass
Map
Parachute cord
Flashlight
AA Lithium batteries
AAA Lithium batteries
Avy beacon
Probe
Shovel
Matches
Striker fire starter
Dryer lint
Fire starter sticks
Tampons
First aid kit
Aspirin
Chapstick/Carmex
Motorola radio
Cell phone
Strobe light
Orange trail marking tape
Heat packs
Bandanna
Power bars/emergency food
Tin can/metal cup
SPOT/PLB
Camera
Paper and pencil

Tunnel Pack and/or Trunk

Sno Bunje - Toliet paper
Water - Wire
Snacks - Flare
Spare gloves - Pipe clamps
Spare goggles - Zip ties
Stocking cap
Duct tape

 

[polarisrider1]

Backpack or On Person

Polar fleece Paper
Emergency sleeping bag Pencil
Emergency blanket
Leatherman tool
Saw
GPS
Compass
Map
Parachute cord
Flashlight
AA Lithium batteries
AAA Lithium batteries
Avy beacon
Probe
Shovel
Matches
Striker fire starter
Dryer lint
Fire starter sticks
Tampons
First aid kit
Aspirin
Chapstick/Carmex
Motorola radio
Cell phone
Strobe light
Orange trail marking tape
Heat packs
Bandanna
Power bars/emergency food
Tin can/metal cup
SPOT/PLB
Camera

Tunnel Pack and/or Trunk

Sno Bunje Toliet paper
Water Wire
Snacks Flare
Spare gloves Pipe clamps
Spare goggles Zip ties
Stocking cap
Duct tape

Same as me, and I have a snobunje brand block & tackle, wrist mirror and a blue tarp to use for building shelter.

 

[ezra]

what no black American express to pay for the sleds helli ride out

 

[polarisrider1]

Same as me, and I have a snobunje brand block & tackle, wrist mirror, sewing kit and a blue tarp to use for building shelter.

For your brain you need to pack first aid training or at least have a booklet in you kit and Avy training. You need to know how to tie knots and start fires useing at least 4-5 different methods. A fire goes a long way to survival and being rescued. I replaced the tampons and lint for a small quick start fireplace log. I also carry 3.2 gallons of extra gas. Know how to mark the "Safety shelters and warming huts on your GPS and maps. Learn how all your gear works or it is useless to you.

 

[polarisrider1]

what no black American express to pay for the sleds helli ride out

thats later if you make it.

 

[Skylar]

Yea, what they all said.

Here is the saw I use, fits right in my tunnel bag, or backpack.

 

[srt20]

Thanks for all the replies and PMs. I will make a list.

 

[polarisrider1]

Thanks for all the replies and PMs. I will make a list.

Not sure if i asked, when and where in March?

 

[srt20]

Going the last week in March. Plan is to go wherever the best snow is. I am going with an guy that goes 5+ times a year out west. Sounds like either Snowies, Togwootee, or Colorado (Mesa something?). He said IP, Stanley, and Cooke prolly wouldnt be the best choice for a newbie. I am pumped to see the mountains. Deepest snow Ive ever seen in person has been the UP.

 

[fgsacts]

Grand Mesa, western Colorado near Grand Junction.

 

[polarisrider1]

Backpack or On Person

Polar fleece
Emergency sleeping bag
Emergency blanket
Leatherman tool
Saw
GPS
Compass
Map
Parachute cord
Flashlight
AA Lithium batteries
AAA Lithium batteries
Avy beacon
Probe
Shovel
Matches
Striker fire starter
Dryer lint
Fire starter sticks
Tampons
First aid kit
Aspirin
Chapstick/Carmex
Motorola radio
Cell phone
Strobe light
Orange trail marking tape
Heat packs
Bandanna
Power bars/emergency food
Tin can/metal cup
SPOT/PLB
Camera
Paper and pencil

Tunnel Pack and/or Trunk

Sno Bunje - Toliet paper
Water - Wire
Snacks - Flare
Spare gloves - Pipe clamps
Spare goggles - Zip ties
Stocking cap
Duct tape

ttt

 

[Slapshot]

Avalanche coures its the best 50$ you'll spend I think its a most for riding out west